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Nineteenth- and early twentieth-century European immigrants arrived in the Midwest with polkas (a European dance craze of the 1840s) ringing in their ears, and the prized possession of a button accordion or concertina was in many an immigrant's pack. The polka became a regional American folk tradition with distinct American polka styles developing in different places. The styles have ethnic names, for example, Slovenian, Polish, Mexican, Finnish, Bohemian (Czech) or Dutchman (German), referring to the origin of the musician's core repertoire and ethnic heritage.

One of Detroit's finest and most popular groups, The Gaylord Klancnik Orchestra, plays Slovenian-style polka, also referred to as "Cleveland style." Slovenian style centers on an accordion, originally the diatonic button box, which was largely replaced during the 1940s and 1950s by the chromatic piano accordion. A second accordion may be added, playing improvised runs and riffs, or a sax for additional melody. The staccato chording of a four-string banjo, sounded on all four eighth notes of the 2/4 polka bar, and the "walking" bass are distinctive elements borrowed from Dixieland jazz. Drums complete the rhythm section. Slovenian-American accordionist Frankie Yankovic, from Cleveland and one of the polka's greats, popularized this style in the post-World War II era.

Gaylord Klancnik (b. 1945 in Detroit) began his musical career at the age of four when his parents took him to a dance at the Slovenian Home on Detroit's east side, where America's Polka King, Frankie Yankovic and his Yanks were appearing. Within a week his parents purchased Gaylord's first accordion, a small twelve bass that was the catalyst for his musical devotion. The Gaylord Klancnik Orchestra features Michigan Polka Hall of Famer Gaylord Klancnik on piano accordion, Gaylord's sons, Ed Klancnik, (drums) and Ken Klancnik (saxophone, clarinet), Eric Noltkamper (banjo, guitar), Phil Srnick (bass), and Jeff Lewis (vocals).

http://www.polkas.com/klancnik/